Ignition switch problem

[BroX]

Hi,

I can't turn the ignition key to start my '00 r1150gs. Locking (turning key to the left) goes fine. A quick google indicates it could be an electrical short? Bike was fine last weekend. Then I hosed it down with plenty water to get rid of the salt. Maybe too much water in the wrong place...?

Where should I start to diagnose?

 

[D6]

disconnect it, fill it wi wd40 for a day, if it dont work,a new uns needed????????

 

[BroX]

disconnect it, fill it wi wd40 for a day, if it dont work,a new uns needed????????

I tried that (not for a day yet, but still), without avail. But since it seems that one needs to drill the screws out in order to remove the switch I wanted to check other options first.

Can someone confirm that a short - somewhere else than inside the switch - can cause this problem that the key can't be turned?

 

[DrFarkoff]

Go find yerself a tin of Fuchs Silolene "SilkOpen"

It's a graphited penetrant spray

I've had this aquite a few times with a lot of different bikes and cars

Load the keyhole with the Silkopen and wiggle the key rather than forcing Repeat it a few times and if no joy go away and have a cup of coffee or tea and give it an hour then try again it should work. Even if it's a wee dod of grit (locking a keyway) because the stuff washes it down through the mechanism.

It should work get loads of the stuff in there and after you've got it moving spray chain grease in there!

 

[D6]

cant see how a short can mechanically lock a switch off??????????if it can, disconect battery,but how could it?never seen a ign switch with a latching system, thats an industrial thing

 

[BroX]

I got the idea of a short after reading this http://tinyurl.com/267a55 (late last night) but now I see it's about two separate problems.

So then it's just the switch left. It's been soaking in WD40 for a day now without any change. Will try tomorrow with the graphite stuff.

If that doesn't help... anyone an idea what it takes to get a new switch matching my key?

 

[BroX]

Solved!

Gave it a good blow with pressured air and voila! A happy man!!!


Thanks for the input!